THE IRISH GATHERING
Get Together in Ireland for 2013
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There’s an old phrase "If you're Irish, come into the parlor..." Now for 2013 the entire country has been designated the world’s parlor for the year of the Gathering. Those of Irish heritage or just Celtic of spirit are invited to join in get together events for the largest reunion in history. Okay, maybe it’s just an idea to build a little tourist trade in the slow economy, but a cool idea, anyway. In events large and small across the country, take the best of a family reunion, multiply it by a few thousand, then add some traditional or pop music, five yearly festivals, and a big dose of the Irish sense of fun and celebration, then set it against the legendary backdrop of Ireland’s dramatic scenery.
With over 70 million people of Irish descent around the world, the whole island from Tipperary to Ulster is gearing up for a bunch of new friends, with hundreds of events being planned in the towns and cities, the woodlands and beaches, in pubs and castles, sports fields and concert halls across Ireland. Even the smallest villages are thinking big with dance and storytelling events, history, arts and literary happenings, as well as fairs for food and drink. Whether you or your clan left the ‘green fields of Eire’ in the last century or just last year, the invitation to immerse yourself in the lore of Irish identity might be irresistible.
Start off 2013 with New Years Eve Gathering in Dublin, the perfect way to say goodbye to 2012 and usher in 2013. The NYE Dublin festival takes place in the City Center over the course of three fun-filled days. Last year’s inaugural NYE Dublin featured events for all ages and highlights included a Guinness World Record attempt, kid’s rock ‘n’ roll in City Hall, and a large concert with Bressie and Damien Dempsey.
Clan gatherings are all about the family heritage! It is the joining of the clans which forms the key to the Gathering of 2013. Your name begins with a Mc or an O’, you’ll find some long lost members of the family around the island. Meet all your distant cousins for a pint of Guinness. The O’Sullivans will convene in the ancient clan domain of Sneem in County Kerry for a week of yarn-spinning, football, genealogy, music and dancing, and trips to ancient family strongholds. And with any Irish luck, to take a place in the Guinness Book of Records. In County Clare on the southwest coast, the scattered families of Scattery Island are beckoned for a reunion of all the descendents. The Maguires have big plans in Fermanagh of Northern Ireland, the traditional clan heartland. A family history weekend kicks off at the magnificent one-time clan fortress, Enniskillen Castle (see Ennishkillen Castle and Fusiliers). And the biggest party of them all could well be The Meeting of the Murphys. The family reunions can be found on a special section of the Gathering website.
Redheads come home! The call is going out to the red haired of the world to join the Irish Redhead Convention. Held in the charming Cork seaside village of Crosshaven, an orange tide of Celtic cousin are expected to meet up for a carnival of madcap madness to aid the Irish Cancer Society. The ‘Foxy Fest’ will embrace gingers galore on August 24th with a redhead parade, freckle counting and the essential the presentation of certificates of authenticity. And even if you’re not the real thing, but in the company of your carrot-top best friend, you can do your bit to ensure ginger pride as hair dying facilities will be provided. Go to Ireland a dingy brunette, but come home a brilliant Irish Red.
In one event, the organizers hope nothing goes right. The Left Hand Festival celebrates the ‘right to be left’, held during five days in August in the midlands village of Mullingar, whose name derives from the Gaelic for “town of the left hand mill”. With special hotel rooms geared toward the opposite reach, sporting events, golf, music, famous ‘southpaws’ and the chance to win the title of Left Handed Champion of Ireland after a series of rigorous trials, Mullingar is hoping to be the future global capital for lefthandedism, though perhaps not quite enough room for all 700 million members at one time.
Knockatallon’s Hooley in the Heather marks nearly 60 years of their bonfire festival. The Monaghan community wants to rekindle ties with people who have participated over the years, for a reunion including cycle rallies, a walking festival, tours, dancing and concerts, runs, storytelling and country music. And certainly the day dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint is a major focus of festivities. In the capital city of Dublin (see Temple Bar Trad), not one, but five days of celebrations will be dedicated to St Patrick with the traditional green-themed gala of live music, street performances and family fun achieving its climax with a massive St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th (see St Patrick's Day Tours). Or for a change, try St Patrick’s Day in Limerick (see King John's Castle).
Festivals range from Opera in Wexford (see Wexford Opera Festival) to Bog Snorkling in Monaghan. And of course, one objective of the Gathering might be to arrange your own. If you want to organize, announce, view or share a Gathering, go to the official The Gathering website for activities, invitations, updates, and guidance. To make planning easier, there are sections for inviting, creating and attending a custom gathering, with categories for every interest, organized by date and place. When the potatoes ran out many a lad left to start a life elsewhere, but isn’t it time to return home. © Bargain Travel Europe
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